Devils' Harris, Blitzer Lead List Of Most Influential Sports Figures In New Jersey

Devils and 76ers co-Owners JOSH HARRIS and DAVID BLITZER are "the most influential people in New Jersey sports, for turning around" the Devils' financial situation and "investing back into the struggling NHL franchise," according to Steve Politi of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. The duo top the paper's annual Juice List because of what they are "planning to do with the team, from transforming the fan experience to investing in new ways to improve hockey operations, and how they hope that their investment has a lasting impact on the growth of the franchise's home city itself." Harris and Blitzer in one year of ownership have "stabilized the business side of the franchise" and "changed nearly everything about the Prudential Center experience." They have also "repaired the contentious relationship with Newark leadership that festered under previous ownership" and "invested in the city" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/17).

MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY SPORTS

RANK

NAME

TITLE

1

Josh Harris & David Blitzer

Devils, 76ers co-Owners

2

John Mara

Giants President & CEO

3

Chris Christie

Governor

4

Greg Brown

Rutgers BOG Chair

5

Lou Lamoriello

Devils President, CEO & GM

6

Tom Coughlin

Giants coach

7

Jim Delany

Big Ten Commissioner

8

Woody Johnson

Jets Owner

9

Tim Howard

U.S. men's national team G

10

Eli Manning

Giants QB

11

Steve Timko

NJSIAA Exec Dir

12

Bob Hurley

St. Anthony (HS) basketball coach

13

Scott O'Neil

Devils & 76ers CEO

14

Julie Hermann

Rutgers AD

15

Rex Ryan

Jets coach

16

Kyle Flood

Rutgers football coach

17

Jerry Reese

Giants GM

18

Jeff Gural

Meadowlands Racetrack operator

19

Kevin Willard

Seton Hall men's basketball coach

20

Eric LeGrand

Paralyzed former Rutgers football player

21

Muhammad Wilkerson

Jets DE

22

C. Vivian Stringer

Rutgers women's basketball coach

23

Isaiah Briscoe

Roselle Catholic (HS) basketball G

24

James Franklin

Penn State football coach

25

Chris Partridge

Paramus Catholic (HS) football coach

STAYING POWER: In New Jersey, John Brennan wrote Devils fans "should get used to" Harris and Blitzer owning the team. Blitzer said, "Having been lucky enough to actually invest in a team, let alone in my home state in a sport that I love, why would you ever sell that? Literally, ever. The team happens to mostly be in a trust for my kids and my grandkids, but I think Josh and I both think pretty clearly that we would never sell." Blitzer added that he and Harris took over the Prudential Center as well as buying the team "because of the quality of the North Jersey demographic audience." He said, "I think the Prudential Center should make a lot of money over time." Harris and Blitzer also bought the 76ers last year. Asked whether the NBA team might relocate to the Prudential Center, Blitzer said, "I don’t see it, I really don’t. I don’t think (the NBA) would allow another team in this (metropolitan area) marketplace." Blitzer said of the walk from Newark Penn Station to the Prudential Center, "There should be more there -- more retail, more restaurants, more condos" (NORTHJERSEY.com, 8/16).